South Lakeland milk price petition handed to Number 10 (From The Westmorland Gazette)

South Lakeland milk price petition handed to Number 10

9:13am Wednesday 28th November 2012 in Business

A SOUTH Lakeland petition calling for a better deal for dariy farmers has been handed to the Government.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron was accompanied by SLDC leader Peter Thornton and local farmers' representatives when he delivered more than 1,000 Fair Deal for Farmers cards to 10 Downing Street yesterday (Tuesday).

Mr Farron said that despite 'small climb downs' from dairy companies, farmers currently still lose around 5p on every pint they produce.

The MP said: "Every farmer should receive a fair price for their milk - one which at least covers their costs to produce milk. A few weeks into the new voluntary code and already we’re starting to see slight changes in behaviour from the supermarkets and the middle men; however this must not be the end.

“This petition firmly puts the ball in the Government’s court. It is about fighting hard alongside the NFU and local farmers to defend their interests. The introduction of the Grocery Codes Adjudicator, which is currently going through Parliament, is an important step forward but I want to make sure that the Government doesn’t sit back and think that is enough.”